Guild Wars 2

Hi guys,
With the changes to signets and axe mh coming up,
I’d like to explore the option of a frontline tank build for ranger, making rangers more desirable in WvW (GvG).

Here’s the link to the build: http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNAQRBHPxG2IjK9r2wiFLctGwPoW2ABQ7bIarBnB8RcyGiWD-TpBEABLcEAI+gAcVZAJOBAA8AAiZ/BA

Note that I post the PvP version but you can get the concept how to gear for WvW.

The build relies on might-stacking to pump out decent damage.
Axe #5 Whirling defense is the key offense/defense skill in this build. The signets provide stability and extra layers of defense against both conditions and direct dmg. Your pets will provide the much needed immobilize in order for your Axe #5 to land.

What this spec brings to group fight:
- AoE Healing (sigil and water field blasting, also healing bolts from whirling defense)
- Reflect with big radius and high uptime
- Provide group with Might, Fury and Swiftness (high uptime)

I believe this build can be very tanky and even when your health gets low, switch to Sword/Warhorn and do the leap/blast combo with your Healing Spring will bring your health back to full.

Burst combo: Immobilize —> Signet of the Wild --> Whirling Defense.

Weaknesses:
- dont have a very strong burst dmg
- only 1 stunbreak on long cd (but don’t forget Signet of Stone and Shared Anguish trait help too)

Let me know what you guys think.

Sorry, but your build would only work against up to 5 enemies.

1. Squishy pets don’t work in zergs: Use bears, drakes or devourers. Only with beastmastery frontline builds (support) you can use hounds or moas. Cats, spiders and birds are instantly dead in the zerg. Boars can be used right before a fight to search for plasma or other good stuff and be switched out afterwards.
2. Your healing power ist not woth it: Allies only benefit from you healing power from your signet and one blast you can make in the waterfield. Also the blast needs no healing power, because when a ranger puts down a waterfielt, it lasts long enough to get all players back to 100% life easily. These points can be spent much better in damage-stats. If you want to make a support build, use shouts and Nature’s Voice for it. That works as well.
3. Axe is not a good choice for a primary weapon: In the beginning of the fight and after regroup you will not lack might, following a good commander. Additionally you can easily stack 25 might with RaO and murrelow. You can use it as a secondary weapon for tagging enemies while regrouping and keeping your might staks up. Primary weapon should be either greatsword (defensive weapon with evade on aa-chain) or sword/axe (damage weapon with evades on #2 and #3 and reflection and retaliation on #5).

A good build is already playable before the patch with Signet of the Beastmaster. This one is dependant on having a guard in your group for condi-remove:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNAQNBhODbkRlKWbYxfFuWDMIUrHg4NAa+CHrzloHS5HZhtGA-TViDABHqEEn9HeR9npU+BwFQAhHQwH6eE4IBExBFIAACA38mD9mD9mlCoflRA-w

This build has good condi-remove but less stability:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNAQNBhODbkRlKWbYxfFuWDMIUrHg4NAa/CH7K4aJS5HZhtGA-TViDABHqEEn9HeR9npU+BwFQAhHQwH6eE4IBExBFIAACA38mD9mD9mlCoflRA-w

After the patch this build gets buffed because of the buffs for axe, greatsword and Signet of the Bestmaster. Then you can either use Empathic Bond for condi-remove or Bark Skin for survivability:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNAQNBhODbkRlKWbYxfFuWDQIULDg3tdLUsHrzkYHS5HZhtGA-TViDABHqEEn9HeR9npU+BwFQAhHQwH6eE4IBExBFIAACA38mD9mD9mlCoflRA-w

If you want a good support build, use shouts. There is a build with more support:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNAQNBhOD7kRF6F0aBxiF4axAaCVrA49MUqnq7O4Ae4U+xNYrB-TVSDABOchAwR9HDVCe8RQgp9HyS5HAHkgAegApo7JAACA/8m/8m/8nlCoflRA-w

And a build with better survivability:
http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNAQNBhOD7kRF6F0aBxiF4axAaCV7AIT30Xzg7O4Ae4U+xVYrB-TVSDABOchAwR9HDVCe8RQgp9HyS5HAHkgAegApo7JAACA/8m/8m/8nlCoflRA-w

I bounced MANY ideas around and came to the conclusion that you need more of a selfish build. Spotter lacks in useless in front line tanky builds that don’t use crit or crit damage and frost spirit dies to much.

This has good stability up time, good soft CC. Condi removal on WS skills, run PVT and Melandru. Not to mention Enlargement and Bark skin will be a GREAT combination.

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNAQNBhODbkRlWW7YxiFqWDQIUrCg2xQJcsur3dYrT5HXhtGA-TFSDABOcgAwR9HDVCe8BQILlfAcACC4ACkiunAAIAkPv5P/ZpA6XZE-w

i’ve always played mellee ranger when running with the zerger mostly 6/2/6/0/0 i think that this is what i will try first after the patch and adjust from there

http://gw2skills.net/editor/?fNAQNBHhFakRlWWrYxjFqWDQIULDg3tdMUCHLz4dAy4nRi1A-TlSAwAaOCAKV+xT9HInAAAm/apP4yDAwiSQPHCAg7PQKgyFGB-w